LSU'S 2026 DEFENSIVE LINE POSITION GROUP FOCUS

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By LONN PHILLIPS SULLIVAN

Another season at LSU...

....and that means another D-line Coach, as the annual carousel of assistants up front continues with the winter arrival of Sterling Lucas from South Carolina to lead the unit, but, as we've seen with some new hires at LSU, he'll be far from alone in the meeting room....(more on that later)...but first, let's get to know Lucas:

At South Carolina, Sterling Lucas led a D-line room for 4 seasons that produced 3 All-SEC linemen (3 more than LSU), ushered the rise of Nagurski Award-winner / All-American DE Kyle Kennard and the highly prized Dylan Stewart (among others), producing superstar defensive linemen who led the conference in sacks, collected individual honors and cemented their elite status in the game.

Since 2022 (4 full campaigns), operating with far less recruiting pull or resources than LSU, Lucas' South Carolina fronts piled up 261 tackles for loss and 103 sacks, compared to 282 and 121 from LSU over that same period of time within the SEC....a pretty stellar accomplishment to actually come that close to LSU over 4 seasons at South Carolina considering their impotence as an overall program during that span.

But the reason Lucas was hired???

The same as always....to forge a defensive line unit that can impact games in a way LSU haven't collectively seen since Tyler Shelvin, K'lavon Chaisson, Rashard Lawrence, and Breiden Fehoko left campus in January 2020, stopping the run, including a running quarterback, causing chaos for every opposition O-linemen, and finishing plays in the backfield....something everyone from Andre Carter, Jamar Cain, Bo Davis, and Kyle Williams could neither produce or sustain during their single season stints.

While that 2019 defensive line didn't generate a lot of sacks, they still affected & impacted games, disturbing, throttling, and even injuring a who's who of opposition quarterbacks during that unforgettable 15-0 season (Tua, Trevor Lawrence, Jalen Hurts, Jake Fromm, and Bo Nix to name a few).

In the post 2019 era, LSU received strong individual showings by the likes of BJ Ojulari, Bradyn Swinson, and somewhat incomplete, maybe even disappointing LSU careers from highly ranked signings Maason Smith, Jaquelin Roy, and Jacobian Guillory, yet only Mekhi Wingo (behind his stunningly underrated 2022 season) stands as the lone Tiger D-lineman who was named an All-American in quite some time...in fact, the problems may run deeper:

LSU hasn't fielded a First Team All-American defensive lineman since 2011....and before that cut off point, the Tigers saw eight different First Team All-American defensive linemen from 2003-2011...Spears to Wroten, Dorsey to Drake Nevis, just as much as DBU, the Tigers' savage defensive line play of yesteryear is what LSU's modern championship DNA was built upon...

Most recently, LSU's defensive front activity hit a new low, generating plenty of pressure last year, only to convert just 27 sacks over 13 games in 2025....to illustrate how poor this tally is, 27 remains 5 fewer than the historically hideous 2023 Matt House defense produced.

Looking over the past units from 2020-2025, I don't see many dawgs...I don't see more than a couple guys who could've held their own among LSU's 2011 or 2003 defensive lines....I also see a lot of wasted opportunities by coaching decisions & "what if???" players who never hit their potential.

There's been a lack of collective and individual playmaking impact, due to a waining degree of top tier talent entering through the door at a sustained rate.

Correcting that trend is exactly why Lucas is in Baton Rouge...

Not only a recruiting force, Lucas' big picture vision of how he wants his defensive front to play (exotic and aggressive), alongside his micro detail-oriented handle on player technique & development, theoretically fit within Blake Baker's defensive structure...including Kevin Peoples' edge rushing doctrine.

Once earning Broyles Award finalist honors at Mizzou following the 2023 season, LSU fans have only seen the best of Kevin Peoples through Bradyn Swinson's 9.5 sacks in 2024, the most by an LSU Tiger since Arden Key's record-setting 2017. Now, in a war room with Lucas and a certain Cajun new hire, armed with an upgraded room, we should witness the best of Peoples' development.

As for the new Cajun hire, could LSU's coaching hires get any more surreal in 2026 than the return of Will Wade???

Oh yeah....they could still get way more surreal....

When Kiffin was first hired, he mentioned Coach Ed Orgeron multiple times, and it was always a place of wonder and imagination but never reality.....right??? Could Orgeron return to LSU??? Is it even possible with his severance??? Would he want to take a lesser title than the ultimate gig he once made his own???

©️ 2026 LSU Sports, By Gus Stark

The answer was yes, yes, yes, yes, YES and YES again, as former Head Coach of the Year award winner & National Championship behemoth at three different programs including most famously as the architect of the 2019 Tigers, the Ed Orgeron was hired at the tail end of Spring camp as LSU's newest recruiting & defensive line assistant.

Introducing another incredibly experienced defensive line mind into the structure, specifically one who also possesses a proven ability as a winner in the sweepstakes for many elite defensive line prospects across multiple decades and different eras of college football, can only be a plus.......and Orgeron back at LSU, coaching up LSU's 2026 room, just feels right.

Coach O (right) teaching technique with Rich Anderson (left) ©️ Elite Training Academy

As for the actual defensive linemen on roster at LSU, the 2026 room looks to have more impetus & depth power than prior units, although injuries & inexperience threaten to harm their promise, already losing 2025 starter Gabe Reliford for the season.

#1 ranked transfer DE juggernaut Princewill Umanmielen was a headline signing this past winter, following Kiffin over from Ole Miss after a divine season of 9 sacks, 13 tackles for loss, and an interception.

The question is: Will "The Fresh Prince of Baton Rouge" take the next step from pure finesse edge rushing histrionics into more powerful, physically dynamic territory in order to throw off more agile left tackles???

Fielding a specimen like Umanmielen, we should see exactly what Kevin Peoples' development and coaching prowess is all about.

Here is the perfect project player for Peoples....almost the finished product, Umanmielen is a freakish athlete hungry to be molded into the best pass rusher in the game....a home run waiting to be smashed outta the park into 1st Round pick territory.

Another transfer arrival edge rusher who stands apart?

Former Volunteer Jordan Ross.

A venomous, physically gritty playmaker with contrasting silky moves, rose up the roster during Spring Camp once an opportunity came along (starter Gabe Reliford's injury). Ross ultimately grabbed and held on to the starting edge spot opposite Umanmielen...and he more than looked the part.

Ross lacks the decorated resume and experience of Umanmielen, although he makes up for an absence of snaps with pure, effective playmaking prowess: achieving Tennessee's 5th overall defensive ranking on Pro Football Focus, delivering 13 QB pressures, 3.5 TFLs, 1.5 sacks (3 different plays on the QB), 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery, and 1 batted pass across a limited 249 snaps last fall (11 game appearances).

On the interior, much is expected from Year III former 5 star freshman Dominick McKinley, now entering his "money year".

At LSU, McKinley hasn't taken over as many expected, fighting off injuries, poor outings, and bad rotations by coaches over 2 years that failed to fully satisfy, make a routine play, or get the Louisiana native into a rhythm:

McKinley appeared in 516 snaps, delivered 15 total pressures, 4 sacks, 5 tackles for loss, and 19 tackles over 2 limited campaigns, hinting at what could be possible in flashes, while remaining mostly disappointing.

When LSU needed someone to step up along their interior defensive line, McKinley was nowhere to be found most of the time, either on the sidelines or, like his front seven teammates, struggling vs opposition rushing attacks.

In 2026, Dominick McKinley is the kind of player I expect Ed Orgeron will coach up to the maximum, hopefully into the kind of interior force he should and can be.

In all seriousness, "Dominant" McKinley should be an absolute monster wearing purple and gold, and 2026 might just be the right mix of roster and staff to draw out game-changing results from his abundant skill set.

Another defensive tackle who has SEC pedigree and experience is junior Malik Blocton, a former Auburn man who transferred to LSU right when the Tigers need a well traveled DT....one who is ready to lead and fight on the inside (Blocton recorded 718 snaps, 8.5 tackles for loss, 4 sacks according to PFF, and 18 tackles for no gain over 2 seasons at Auburn).

Also transferring to LSU this winter, former Clemson DT Stephiylan Green enjoyed his best game against the purple and gold last year, posting a career high 6 tackles during that week 1 bout.

Despite limited opportunities at Clemson, Green hit the ground running this Spring at LSU, displaying size, strength, and a sinister, penetrative push up front.....advertising himself as a prime protection destroyer and run stopping artist who may be taking the next step as we speak.

Brandon Brown is another under the radar Tiger who was anything but overlooked during Spring camp, getting plenty of reps with the second and first team defense across a progressive string of practices, showcasing himself as anything from a key contributor or even a potential starter at DT.

Elsewhere, red shirt sophomore DE Damien Shanklin only played 10 total snaps last fall and still conjured 2 sacks vs Southeastern, a moment that screamed for more playing time last fall...when LSU couldn't buy a sack even if they lined up with Elon Musk.

Throughout Spring, Shanklin was coached hard by Lucas and Peoples, both assistants expecting elite results from their young pass rusher. Even if he's more of a depth option right now, Shanklin's length & ability to get off blocks must be put to the test...such is the nature of his tantalizing ceiling.

Kolaj Cobbins finds himself in a similar situation, although with less on field output; Entering Year 3 and only appearing in 24 defensive snaps, Cobbins is a great culture Tiger, hitting the All-SEC Academic Honor Roll over consecutive years. On the field though, his career high output came vs Southeastern....3 tackles in 9 snaps.

One of the nation's top defensive prospects of the 2024 recruiting cycle, Cobbins just hasn't received (or rather earned) the opportunity to strut his stuff at LSU....is 2026 his time to break out???

Other Tigers like DTs Shone Washington and Achilles Woods, or DEs Jaylen Brown (a Sterling Lucas disciple; 39 career snaps over 2 red shirt seasons at Mizzou & South Carolina with Lucas), Trenton Henderson (a raw, but technically gifted freshman), as well as skilled veteran backup Dylan Carpenter, all deserve mention, may earn snaps, or become crucial "role players"...though any of these Tigers could defy my expectations.

Then, lingering near the bottom of the totem pole are three freshmen who already stand out & possess a presence, maybe even an aura about them....a power trio of Tiger rookies who will likely receive playing time....three young Tigers who may just be the best group of D-line recruits to hit campus since 2017-2018...including a few who already featured & impressed for much of Spring practices: Louisiana native DT Rich Anderson, Georgia's versatile Deuce Geralds, and #1 overall ranked sensation Lamar Brown, also from the Boot.

Big Rich Anderson (credit unsure)

All three are blessed with incredible traits: the beastly stuffing power & all around embryonic greatness of inside man "Big" Rich Anderson, the steely engine & kinetic burst off the line of Deuce Geralds, and the dominant athleticism soon to be seen from Lamar Brown....in the right hands, this D-line power trio could be LSU's nucleus up front for the next three to four years.

Unless Tigers like McKinley, Cobbins, Brandon Brown, and Shanklin (among others) begin producing at rapid, elevated levels and keep the pedal down through Fall Camp, they could be usurped by this youthful brigade of prodigies, specifically Rich Anderson at defensive tackle, likely next to one of the veteran transfer DTs Green or Blocton, while Umanmielen and Ross hold it down on the outside from the start.

From a macro view, looking at everyone on roster and their Spring performances, while taking in the complete defensive line and edge rushing units together, plus the enhanced, exciting staff additions, there should be no mistake here: LSU's Defensive Line is an absolute upgrade from 2025, regarding both personnel and coaching, while retaining continuity as an overall defensive structure under Blake Baker for a third year....the best of both worlds I would suspect.

Despite a lack of major current household names on tap, LSU's 2026 defensive line and edge rushing corps are, at least based on what we watched through Spring Camp & can forecast ahead towards Fall Camp, a deeper, more versatile, more athletic, and most importantly of all, more physical group that may be exactly what LSU have been missing all along:

A room full of Tiger D-linemen that may be greater than the sum of its parts...a collective unit replete with individual talents & intriguing options of varying, violently beautiful profiles that compliment each other...star power and role player equally by necessity...

Instead of chasing a lineup that features the four highest ranked recruits LSU signed, or shying away from playing youth in a fearful Napoleanic rage, there is reason to have faith that this year's starters up front, and key rotation Tigers, will be the four best players at each position, regardless of age, recruiting ranking, or NIL earnings.

Let the competition continue....

By LONN PHILLIPS SULLIVAN

©️ 2026 Uninterrupted Writings Inc